Groundswell 2025: Making Every Hectare Count

We're excited to be back at Groundswell, the UK’s premier regenerative agriculture show, where our leading theme is “Making Every Hectare Count”. This resonates deeply with our work across catch and cover cropping, agroecology, woodland management and natural capital enhancement.

As ever, the Oakbank team was on hand to offer practical, research-backed advice to help you build resilience, improve soil health and increase productivity - whatever your farming system.

Cover Crop Clinic

At the heart of our Groundswell presence is the Cover Crop Clinic at 3pm on Day 1, at the Earthworm Arms - designed together with the AHDB and the Cover Crops Guide steering group. This was a very popular opportunity to speak directly with our experienced advisors about:

• Selecting the right individual straights

• Designing bespoke mixes for your rotation, soil type or livestock

• Managing establishment, termination, and integration with arable crops

• Making the most of nutrient dynamics

• Exploring funding opportunities

• Putting a value on biodiversity and soil carbon

Whether you're new to catch and cover crops or looking to refine an existing strategy, our team is ready to help you make every hectare count.

We were also showcasing findings from the Velcourt spring barley nitrogen response curve trials, in which properly managed cover crops delivered a yield uplift of more than 0.5t/ha at all nitrogen rates. It’s compelling proof that good cover cropping isn’t just good for soil, it’s good for business.

👉 Visit the Cover Crop Clinic at the Earthworm Arms or book a 1-to-1 session with an advisor

Profitable regeneration

There’s no "one-size-fits-all" model for regenerative agriculture, but there is a great set of principles that can be adapted to any farming context. Whether you're running a mixed estate, a contract farming business or a family farm, Oakbank can help with a regenerative approach that is financially viable, practically achievable and environmentally meaningful.

From rotation planning to cover crop integration and grazing, our approach is built around your unique goals.

📖 Read more: Regenerative Agriculture – Principles in Practice →

📍 Join our Groundswell sessions or stop by the stand to discuss your next steps

Woodland consultancy

Alongside our work in cover crops and regenerative and agroecological systems, Oakbank continues to deliver expert advice on woodland creation and management.

Whether you're applying for grants, managing established woodland or looking to integrate agroforestry into your wider farm strategy, we offer support in:

• Grant applications and funding advice

• New plantings and England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

• Woodland management plans

• Tree risk assessments

• Veteran and ancient trees

• Woodland operational management

🌳 Speak to our woodland team at Groundswell to explore your options for 2025-26 planting and beyond